Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 1st, 2018 4:27PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Cornices and Wind Slabs.

cgarritty, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Rugged travel conditions dominate lower elevations while lingering wind slab and cornice problems show that winter is on in the alpine.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Clear with cloudy periods. Light northeast winds. Sunday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Light northeast winds. Alpine high temperatures of -2 with freezing levels around 800 metres.Monday: Sunny. Light northeast winds. Alpine high temperatures of -4 with freezing levels around 700 metres.Tuesday: Sunny. Light northeast winds. Alpine high temperatures of -3 with freezing levels around 500 metres.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported. Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.

Snowpack Summary

The warm storm from early last week produced over 200 mm of precipitation that mostly fell as rain. Extreme winds out of the south/southwest likely produced weak cornices along many ridgelines during the storm.Alpine areas near Squamish have the most snow, with around 70 cm of settled snow on the ground. In the alpine, there may be a crust lower in the snowpack. It is thought that there is insufficient snow for avalanches below 1500 m.

Problems

Cornices

Cornices have likely formed on alpine ridgelines. Cornices are typically most prone to failure during times of transition. Now is one of those times as we enter a colder period.

Stay well back from cornices when traveling on ridgelines.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.Be wary of traveling on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

If there's any good riding/travel to be had, it's going to be in the alpine. This is also where you're most likely to find lingering wind slabs.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.The deepest slabs will be found immediately lee of ridge-crest.Be cautious around mid-slope terrain features like ridges and ribs where slabs may be deeper.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 2nd, 2018 2:00PM